A caution about scientific management and the "best available science." The best science allegedly has been used to manage Atlantic salmon for over 200 years and now the species is extirpated or extremely depressed in over 90% of its original range. The best science allegedly has been used to manage Atlantic cod for the past 400 years, and now most of the world's formerly best cod fisheries are extirpated or severely depressed. No more Grand Banks or Georges Banks fisheries. The best science of its time was used to manage the Columbia River salmon fishery into 10% of its former self. Just like the best science was used to manage wild steelhead from harvestable numbers in most west coast rivers of the lower 48 to, if we're lucky enough for today's best science to be correct for a change, a small handful of rivers containing harvestable wild steelhead.

Science - good, best available, or what-have-you, is a composite of many things. Precision and accuracy have proven to be elusive more often than not. I wouldn't count on science alone to demonstrate that a few remaining OP rivers have wild steelhead in such abundance that harvest is sustainable. History alone indicates such a belief is a delusion.

I am a scientist, and I approved this message.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.